Schalke 04 Sell their LEC Slot to BDS
Schalke 04 Sell their LEC Slot to BDS
The German organization Schalke 04 Esports has sold its slot in the League of Legends European Championship. Their place in the league has been acquired by a Swiss organization BDS Esports for €26.5 millions.
Owned by the similarly named German football club, Schalke 04 has been represented in League of Legends since 2016. In 2019, when the European league switched to a franchise format, the organization became one of the permanent members of the reformed league. Over all these years, the team failed to qualify for a single World Championship. This year they placed 4th in the spring split.
Due to financial problems caused by relegation from Bundesliga and COVID-19 pandemic, the football club has been considering selling their slot in LEC since last summer. After six months of exhausting negotiations the deal is done, however Schalke 04 will continue competing in the summer split – currently the team is placed pre-last in the group stage with a 2-5 score.
BDS Esports was founded in 2019 and entered League of Legends in 2020, acquiring a roster and spot in the French semi-pro league LFL Division 2 from Bastille Legacy. The organization, which also hosts rosters in VALORANT, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six and Rocket League, will debut in LEC next season.